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RIP Mike Nesmith of the Monkees, Songwriter, Guitarist Always Marched to His Own “Different Drum”

Roger Friedman
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RIP Mike Nesmith of the Monkees, Songwriter, Guitarist Always Marched to His Own “Different Drum”

Mike Nesmith, the great singer songwriter of the Monkees, died this morning at age 78. His family said it was from natural causes but when Mike appeared with Micky Dolenz last month at New York’s Town Hall he was not well, and you could tell it was taking all of his energy to perform this Farewell Tour.

Mike wrote some of the Monkees songs during the group’s tenure but his most famous was a hit for Linda Ronstadt. “Different Drum” was about a woman who wanted to go her own way, but that was Nesmith himself. He marched to a different drum, separating himself from the Monkees legacy as much as he could and not appearing on many reunion tours or albums.

It was only this fall that Nesmith surprisingly went out on tour with Micky, the only other remaining member of the group. But he’d inherited a fortune from his mother in 1980. She was the inventor of Liquid Paper, which for decades before word processors was the only way to make corrections on documents. He used the money to invest in cool movies and stay above the fray.

Last year, Dolenz recorded a new album called “Dolenz Sings Nesmith,” with Mike’s son Christian producing, to showcase his catalog of songs. The album received rave reviews.

People of a certain age will always have an affection for the Monkees. They burst onto the scene in the mid 60s as a TV show about a struggling pop group in a style fashioned after the Beatles’ “A Hard Days Night.” They weren’t supposed to play their own instruments, but it turned out they could and eventually did. They were also gifted pop singers.

In the series, Mike had a carefully aloof attitude, always wearing a knit cap and a goofy grin, He wasn’t the leading man like Micky Dolenz or the boytoy like Davy Jones and wasn’t the shy guy like Peter Tork. He held himself out as kind of the egg head, maybe a little wiser than the rest. What a shame that he’s gone but what a gift he gave the fans by forcing himself to overcome health issues and do one victory lap before he left.

Our mutual friend, Sam Moore, of Sam & Dave, sent this:

“I had the great pleasure of appearing with Jr Walker as my partner playing  a “Swanky Mode” In the movie “Tapeheads” produced by a man who became a friend, Michael Nesmith. Michael had a vision and a great sense of music, humor and shtick. He put them all together with an incredible cast including John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Mary Crosby, Connie Stevens, Clu Gallagher, Doug McClure and believe it or not Don Cornelius to make that movie that we all believed should have been and still needs to be one of the “classic cult films“
I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing.
Hey hey Michael you’ll always be a Monkee! “

Spielberg’s “West Side Story” Kicks Off Previews Thursday Night and Long Road to the Oscars with $800K

Roger Friedman
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Spielberg’s “West Side Story” Kicks Off Previews Thursday Night and Long Road to the Oscars with $800K

And now the long road to the Oscars begins.

Steven Spielberg’s reimagining of “West Side Story” kicked off with Thursday night previews totaling $800,000. That’s a little soft but not disappointing at all. The musical with rave reviews will play in 2,800 theaters starting tonight, about a thousand fewer than most wide releases these days.

“WSS” is a 20th Century release from “WSS” which means Disney is distributing it. So far Disney has done a pretty lousy job with 20th releases. But the pressure must be on to make “WSS” a hit. There’s a potential here for a record number of Oscar nominations. Many have praised the new edition as better than the original classic. So we should big numbers over the holidays.

Get out and see a movie this weekend. We now have “WSS” and “Belfast” in theaters. Wear a mask, big deal. Sit a seat apart from strangers. But get away from the TV set and the computer!

Woody Allen’s Very Funny “Rifkin’s Festival” Will Open in January with Wallace Shawn and Gina Gershon

Roger Friedman
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Woody Allen’s Very Funny “Rifkin’s Festival” Will Open in January with Wallace Shawn and Gina Gershon

“Rifkin’s Festival” is finally coming to theaters and streaming on January 28, 2022.

The Woody Allen comedy has been available since 2019 but cowards that they are, no big name distributor would step up to take it. As with “A Rainy Day in New York,” the new movie will come from MPI Films, and I applaud them for releasing a hilarious movie by one of our most important filmmakers.

I reviewed “Rifkin” a little more than a year ago. Here’s the link. I found myself laughing out loud at so many of Allen’s jokes. Shawn plays a stand in for the Woody character. Gina Gershon is terrific with his zingers as well. This week we were asked to vote in the Critics Choice Awards for Best Comedy. There are no comedies anymore. I wish I could have written in “Rifkin.” I will next year.

Woody Allen just turned 86 years old. He’s been married for 25 years and has two college age daughters. He’s made some of our finest films, more than two dozen sensational ones, and another two dozen really interesting and good ones. He’s one of our best writers and filmmakers but his scorned lover, Mia Farrow, has hypnotized her children against him and conducted a public campaign that makes no sense. It’s common now for people to blurt out, “Woody Allen married his daughter” or some such nonsense without any regard for actual, not alternative facts.

So by all means, go see “Rifkin” or stream it on VOD, “Rainy Day” as well. We need some good laughs right now.

 

“Fatal Attraction” Director’s First Film in 20 Years Pulled from Schedule, Fueled Ben Affleck-Ana de Armas Affair

Roger Friedman
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“Fatal Attraction” Director’s First Film in 20 Years Pulled from Schedule, Fueled Ben Affleck-Ana de Armas Affair

Adrian Lyne’s first film in 20 years is under water.

“Deep Water,” from Disney-20th Century (formerly Fox), was supposed to be released on January 14, 2022. Ir was Lyne’s first film since “Unfaithful” in 2002 with Diane Lane and Richard Gere.

Disney has not explained removing it from the schedule, but it’s gotta hurt. Ben Affleck and Ana de Aemas met on this film, started dating and lived together for a short time. They were major tabloid fodder. But all that’s over and Affleck is now back with Jennifer Lopez.

Lyne has a reputation for being eccentric. But he directed some very successful and memorable films including “Flashdance,” “9 1/2 Weeks,” and “Fatal Attraction.” He turned 80 last March, which is hard to to believe, isn’t it?

“Deep Water” will likely turn up on a streaming service. Stay tuned…

Broadway– And Everyone But the NY Times– Welcomes “Company” In Old Fashioned A List Opening Night

Roger Friedman
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Broadway– And Everyone But the NY Times– Welcomes “Company” In Old Fashioned A List Opening Night

Wow! What a night on Broadway at the Jacobs Theater. Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” revival finally opened after almost opening in March 2020 and then getting delayed by the pandemic. A list stars walked the red carpet and poured into the theater. There were standing ovations during the performance. All the reviewers loved it except one, Jesse Green of the New York Times, who must have seen a different show than the one we saw.

Matthew Broderick came with “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon and her partner, Christine Marinoni. Barbara Barrie, age 90. from the original “Company” cast, sat front and center. (So did Donna McKechnie.) Broadway start Donna Murphy came over to hug her. Mind you, everyone was wearing masks, the protocols were strictly enforced, but theater people who hadn’t seen each other in a long were ecstatic to be back on track!

Who else was there? Michele Lee, Brenda Vaccaro, Betty Buckley for starters. Chazz Palminteri and wife Gia came to see their pal Bobby Conte, who starred in Chazz’s “A Bronx Tale” musical a couple of seasons ago. Jane Krakowski came with designer David Rockwell. I spotted the beautiful Jennifer Westfeldt. Every row was jammed with celebrities many of whom were humming along with the famous Sondheim score or just nodding their heads.

How about Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor, who told me it was their first Broadway visit since the lockdown lifted? Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale, old friends, arrived together. Grace Gummer came with new husband Mark Ronson and Mark’s famous mom, Ann Dexter Jones. Mark, you know, produces all the hits for Miley Cyrus and everyone else. Jesse Tyler Ferguson was in the house. So was Christine Baranski, who keeping things low profile.

And then there was Leslie Odom, Jr. sitting on the aisle just a few rows behind me. Not bad. I’ve never seen a theater so jammed. The Jacobs holds 1,000 people and there were that many on their feet whenP Patti Lupone, of course, stole the show with the centerpiece number, “Ladies Who Lunch.” I know Elaine Stritch, Sondheim himself, and DA Pennebaker (who famous filmed them recording the LP) were clapping in heaven. The whole show is worth seeing and hearing Patti do this number. It’s a home run.

The whole cast is tremendously talented. Matt Doyle is hilarious as the renamed Jamie (his character is female in previous productions) as the nervous groom singing  the rapid fire “Getting Married Today.” But the most recognition must go to Tony winner Katrina Lenk. She plays the first ever female Bobby, the central character, now a single woman debating whether she should be married. Her quest takes her on a survey of married friends, some happy, some not, and ends with singing the other keynote song of this musical, “Being Alive.” In the past Bobby has always been a guy. But making this change gives the show an unexpected poignancy. Lenk is not a belter. That’s Lupone’s job. Lenk makes Bobby vulnerable and accessible. And likeable. You root for her. And it doesn’t hurt Lenk has an exotic face that adds mystery  to her quest. She and Lupone give Tony winning performances.

And then there’s the music. Sondheim’s recent death has made everyone extra mushy about him. But the truth is, this score– written in in 1969-70– is more sophisticated and textured than anything you’ll hear today. A 14 piece orchestra is above the stage playing it, too, which is like a gift from heaven.

So just ignore the sour Times reviews, read all the others, and get over to West 45th St. as soon as possible. Broadway is back!

 

Pop Tarts: Director JJ Abrams’ Singer Daughter Gracie Will Open Tour for Olivia Rodrigo

Roger Friedman
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Pop Tarts: Director JJ Abrams’ Singer Daughter Gracie Will Open Tour for Olivia Rodrigo

And just like that…another pop star is born.

For some time now Gracie Abrams, daughter of “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” and “Mission Impossible” director JJ Abrams has been percolating as a hot new singer.

Now Gracie will open the tour for this year’s star Olivia Rodrigo. This is big news because Gracie should be the breakout find of 2022.

And before you cry nepotism, she’s done it on her own and she’s very talented. On her own Gracie has amassed over 700,000 followers on Instagram and a big audience on YouTube. She’s already signed to Interscope and has released her first EP.

“Sex and the City”: How Much Did They Telegraph? A Lot, But Not the Divorce Reported in the NYPost

Roger Friedman
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“Sex and the City”: How Much Did They Telegraph? A Lot, But Not the Divorce Reported in the NYPost

Here’s a follow-up to the review of “And Just Like That” which I had to write at 5am since there were no press previews from HBO.

How much did “Sex and the City” telegraph from the first two episodes of this new season now that (SPOILER ALERT) Mr. Big is dead and Chris Noth has left the show?

The answer is, a lot. But one thing didn’t happen. Carrie and Big didn’t get a divorce. Back on July 15th the NY Post’s Page Six got hold of a page of a script and blasted an exclusive to that effect. That story didn’t age very well.

So what will happen? Just looking at the two episodes and pictures from the premiere party, we can surmise this: Big’s first wife, played by Bridget Moynihan, comes looking for money. Moynihan was a guest at the party, so it makes sense.

The odds are Big’s will and his shaky finances are a problem for Carrie, who will have to leave the 9 zillion dollar penthouse and return to her Greenwich Village apartment to start over. It was mentioned that she kept that apartment. She’s going to lose most of what she got. She’ll also reconnect with her old boyfriend, Aiden, played by John Corbett.

Miranda, played by Cynthia Nixon, is drinking. Is she headed to AA? She’s also headed to something with Chi, played by Sara Ramirez. As in real life, Nixon entered into a relationship with a female partner. So, too, I think, will Miranda. And that will be the end of Steve, played by David Eigenberg, who’s a regular on “Chicago PD” or “MD” or one of them. I was shocked Miranda and Sfeve were still together. She never really even liked him. And their kid, a 17 year old played by a 27 year old, he’s an issue, too. They let him have sleepovers with loud sex? It’s a new world, isn’t it?

So all that should take “Sex and the City” through 8 more episodes. Samantha is gone, and not coming back. She sent flowers to the funeral, but she’s not coming back to see how everyone is. She’s smart.

PS Let me know in a couple of weeks if any of this came true…

Bonnie Raitt, Talking Heads, Selena, Salt-n-Pepa Among Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Honors

Roger Friedman
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Bonnie Raitt, Talking Heads, Selena, Salt-n-Pepa Among Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Honors

Here’s some good news: Bonnie Raitt, the Talking Heads, Salt-n-Pepa, and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds are in the new class of Lifetime Achievement honorees from the Grammys.

They’ll be inducted on January 30th, in L.A., the night before the Grammy Awards.

Other honorees who will also receive Special Merit Awards include Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Lionel Hampton, Selena, Ed Cherney, Benny Golson, Daniel Weiss, very much alive opera great Marilyn Horne.

No one deserves the award more than Bonnie Raitt. Not only she is a legacy performer and songwriter, Bonnie is also the most reverent pop star when it comes to saluting music’s history. As far back as the 70s, when she was a young, hot act, Bonnie toured with blues legend Sippie Wallace. She’s done so much to honor the music and musicians that infuenced her and came before her.

I had the personal privilege years ago of witnessing BB King — who I was speaking with on stage at Radio City during a rehearsal — compliment Bonnie. He told her in front of my “you are the best slide guitarist ever.” Bonnie nearly fainted. It was an incredible moment.

Talking Heads— well, they’ll have to get David Byrne off the stage of his hit Broadway show, “American Utopia” to give him the award. Unfortunately, he doesn’t speak to the band anymore and vice versa so who knows what will happen with Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison. Chris wrote a book last year that pretty much cemented a wall between the trio and Byrne. But you never know. 

Nevertheless, Talking Heads remain one of the most inventive and long lasting bands of all time, creating new sounds and using influences from all over the world. Bravo to them!

 

Review: “Sex and the City” Returns Without Samantha, “It’s Like She’s Dead,”: And Someone Actually Dies

Roger Friedman
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Review: “Sex and the City” Returns Without Samantha, “It’s Like She’s Dead,”: And Someone Actually Dies

“Sex and the City” returns with “And Just Like That” without missing a beat, except, well someone is missing a beat. There’s a death, although I’ll let you figure that one out.

Let’s get to the elephant in the room, because these people do right away. Samantha, aka Kim Cattrall, is gone, and the explanation is that she’s moved to London. And consequently, Miranda tells Carrie, “it’s like she’s dead.” She is not, but it’s hammered home that Samantha is older than the rest of them– mid 60s– and that she has dumped Carrie as friend.

“She fired me as a friend,” Carrie says, explaining that since Samantha has moved to London Carrie stopped using her as a publicist. The result is that Samantha isn’t taking her calls and hasn’t spoken to Charlotte or Miranda, either. You see it’s her fault she’s not on the show. Got that?

Anyway, on to other things. Carrie and Mr. Big are very happy and live in a spectacular apartment. Can that last? There are 10 episodes. Charlotte and Miranda are still married to their husbands. Steve, Miranda’s husband, has hearing loss, and Miranda has a burgeoning problem as well. Charlotte is dealing with teen girls. Miranda has a carrot topped son who’s sex-crazy. (The actor they hired looks like he could be the real life son of Cynthia Nixon’s partner, Christine Marinoni. He’s not. But the casting is spot on.)

And then, just like that, the girls seem to know Black people. A few of them are introduced, all very stylish and well off, just like them. One of them is played by Christopher Wallace of “Hamilton” fame. Another is played by Sara Ramirez of “Grey’s Anatomy,” a fluid “they” who has a podcast about sex for which Carrie works and is paid. (People are paid to do podcasts?) And this is interesting because the podcast is far more explicit and graphic than anything Carrie has written about and she’s uncomfortable with it. You’ll see why. Later she brings this dilemma home to Mr. Big and we get to see Chris Noth do something we should not. Ahem.

“And Just Like That” will upset some fans but in the end it’s very well written by Michael Patrick King who knows his subjects and characters well. In the old days when HBO invited me to these premieres they’d show two episodes and I never really saw the rest of any season. So I might watch next week to see the fallout from this premiere, but then I think that’s enough for me of this Really Big Shoe. After six seasons and two movies I wasn’t actually curious what happened to all these people. And now that I’ve seen it, I know I was right. I was happy to leave them where they were. Since there are no ratings on HBO Max we’ll never know how the fans really felt except on social media where I expect their voices will be heard for better or worse.

“And Just Like That” is playing on HBO Max, which you have if you also have HBO.

 

Adele Las Vegas Tickets Go On Sale as Scalpers Charge $30,000 to $40,000 a Seat

Roger Friedman
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Adele Las Vegas Tickets Go On Sale as Scalpers Charge $30,000 to $40,000 a Seat

Tickets to Adele‘s residency sit down at Caesar’s Palace went on sale today at Ticketmaster.

Needless to say, they sold out in minutes as scalpers using robots scooped them up and immediately put them on the resale market.

On Stub Hub, tickets are going for up to $40,000 per seat to sit in the front section. Whose fault is this? Ticketmaster, for one. Adele’s management for another. By setting no limits and participating in Ticketmaster’s “valued customer” programs they made it impossible for average fans to buy tickets. The result is a monumental scam.

read all today’s Showbiz411 headlines–click here

So much for Adele, singer for the people. She went from Chasing Pavements to paving over the fans.

On Twitter and other social media there is outrage and disappointment. But you can see the ticket prices in these screen shots. In the second shot below, those are the starting prices. In the shot above, those are for the best seats in the house.

I feel bad about how Adele’s career has turned out. She was a remarkable singer with a refreshing personality. She had the potential to really develop into an artist. Instead she’s become a money machine. The super fans are only catching up to this today. They must understand there are kickbacks all through this system. Adele is not going to go without a taste of this money. In no time she’ll be living like Elvis Presley in Vegas. It’s some racket.

Here’s a sample of fan reaction from Twitter:

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